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Research interests:

My research involves the evolutionary biology and taxonomy of grasses (Gramineae), especially Chloridoideae, a subfamily of some 1400 warm-season, mostly subtropical and tropical species. My goals are to discover the phylogenetic relationships among the taxa, improve the classification, and learn about the evolution of traits, especially inflorescence architecture, breeding system, leaf anatomy, and photosynthetic pathway.

Employing DNA sequences from the nuclear and chloroplast genomes, my collaborators and I are estimating phylogenetic relationships both across Chloridoideae, by sampling many genera, and within genera, by sampling all species and intraspecific taxa. In the latter case, we have sampled all species of Bouteloua (grama grasses), a New World (predominantly North American) genus of 57 species, and are pursuing Muhlenbergia (muhly grasses), which comprises 147 species and has a similar geographic distribution. The grama grass research began with a study of Bouteloua sensu stricto and nine satellite genera (comprising a subtribe, Boutelouinae, in part). Concordance between the nuclear and plastid phylogenies led to taxonomic expansion of Bouteloua to include the satellites and render the genus monophyletic. Interestingly, these data point to a multiple origin of sexually dimorphic spikelets within the genus, and a trend towards fewer-flowered, deciduous inflorescence branches.

My approach to systematics is grounded in molecular phylogenetics and generous taxon sampling. Good sampling of taxa and analyses of DNA sequences from multiple genomes lead to robust estimates of organismal phylogeny. From these phylogenies, improvements to the classification can be made and a better understanding of trait evolution gained. I am a strong believer in field studies, not only to collect material (pressed specimens, seeds, and pickled material for anatomical study) for laboratory and greenhouse studies, but to gain knowledge of populations and their habitats.

I enjoy collaborating with hard-working, motivated students, no matter what group of plants interests them, who desire broad-based education and research experiences that include field studies, morphology, anatomy, chromosome biology, phylogenetics, taxonomy, and geography.